JP2002318490A - Sealing member, toner storage container and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sealing member whose locking state with an image forming device can be released by simple constitution in spite of constitution that the sealing member is locked in an image forming device so that the toner discharge port of a toner storage container is shifted from a closed state to an opened state, and the toner storage container and the image forming device. SOLUTION: The toner storage container 1 which can be attached to/detached from the image forming device is provided with a container main body 1A in which toner is stored, a locking part 3 locked in the part to be locked of the image forming device and displaced by the image forming device with action that it approaches relatively to the part to be locked, and a releasing force receiving part 4 receiving releasing force by which the locking part 3 is displaced to release the locking state of the locking part 3 with the part to be locked from the image forming device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a toner storage container sealing member, a toner storage container, and an image forming apparatus used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, fine powder toner as a developer is used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines and printers. When the toner in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is consumed, toner is supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus using a toner storage container (toner supply container).

Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, and the like), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

Since the toner is an extremely fine powder, a method of discharging the toner little by little from a small opening by setting the toner supply container inside the image forming apparatus main body so that the toner is not scattered during the toner supply operation. It has been known.

In any case, the above-described toner supply container receives a certain drive from the image forming apparatus main body side and drives the transport member and the container main body on the toner supply container side to discharge the toner. It has become. There are several methods for such drive transmission means. For example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 05-75768, a gear portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a toner bottle as a toner supply container, and a drive source is attached to this gear. There is a configuration in which a rotatable drive gear connected to the printer is engaged to rotate the toner bottle.

Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-63084, a projection for rotational drive is provided on the end face of the toner bottle, and this projection is provided in a recess provided in a drive unit from the image forming apparatus main body. There is a configuration or the like for transmitting the drive by engaging.

Another example is disclosed in JP-A-10-63.
There is also a method as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 076. In this case, a plurality of engagement grooves are provided on the inner diameter of the rotational force transmitting portion of the image forming apparatus main body, and a projection is provided on the toner container side so as to engage with the engagement groove. To transmit rotational drive.

As described above, various drive transmission methods have been proposed as methods for driving the toner supply container.

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has several technical problems.

In the case of the method described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 05-75768, when a toner bottle is inserted and set in an image forming apparatus main body, a gear provided on an outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle and a drive gear in the image forming apparatus main body. Must be properly engaged with each other, and this operation needs to be carefully inserted by the user himself, which imposes a burden on the user in replenishment operability. In addition, since the toner bottle is rotated by gear-to-gear engagement, the toner bottle receives a force that tends to shift in the direction perpendicular to the axis due to the rotational moment. May not be possible. In order to prevent such a shift, it is necessary to surround and support the entire periphery of the toner bottle. Is complicated, leading to an increase in cost.

In the method described in JP-A-10-63084 or JP-A-10-63076, the projection (or depression) on the end face of the toner bottle is engaged with the depression (or projection) of the main body driving section. It is necessary to align the toner bottle in the rotational direction when inserting the toner bottle so that it fits properly. In some cases, it may not be transmitted.

In order to prevent such a defective engagement, a guide rib is provided on the outer surface of the toner bottle so that the position in the rotation direction when the toner bottle is inserted is always determined. It is necessary to control the rotation operation so that the unit always stops at a predetermined rotation position, and any of these causes a complication of the configuration of the replenishment system and an increase in cost.

In most cases of coupling drive transmission by engagement of such irregularities, when the toner bottle and the main body drive section are inserted out of phase, the main body drive section is retracted by a spring, and when the phases are matched, the main body drive section is retracted. There may be a configuration that returns to the combined position. In such a configuration, even if the bottle is out of phase when the toner bottle is inserted, the main body driving unit retracts, so that when the bottle is rotated, the phase is matched,
Although it is possible to engage, the structure of the main body drive unit becomes complicated, and extra space is required to retract the main body drive unit to the back side, so that the apparatus main body is made compact. Is also not preferred.

Further, in the above conventional example, it is unknown how to release the engagement of the irregularities. For example, the operator forcibly pulls out the toner supply container, or the operator pushes the small convex portion with a finger. Assuming a configuration in which the toner supply container is released while being pushed, the toner supply container and the drive unit of the image forming apparatus main body are damaged, and the configuration is extremely disadvantageous in terms of usability.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple configuration of a sealing member in which a sealing member is locked to an image forming apparatus so that a toner outlet of a toner container is changed from a closed state to an open state. To provide a sealing member capable of releasing a locked state between the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure for locking the locking portion of the toner storage container to the image forming apparatus, but with a simple configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner container that can be released.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure for closing a toner discharge opening of a toner storage container in spite of a configuration in which a sealing member is locked to an image forming apparatus so as to open the toner discharge opening from a closed state. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner storage container that can release a locked state between a stop member and an image forming apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure, in which the locking portion of the toner storage container is locked to the locked portion of the mounting means. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of releasing the locked state of the image forming apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is a configuration in which the locking portion of the sealing member is locked to the locked portion of the mounting means so that the toner discharge port of the toner container is changed from the closed state to the open state. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can release a locked state between a locking portion and a locked portion with a simple configuration.

[0020] Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021]

The above object is achieved by a sealing member, a toner container and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, according to one aspect of the present invention, a sealing member that seals a toner outlet of a toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus is locked to a locked portion of the image forming apparatus. A locking portion, and a release force receiving portion that receives a release force from the image forming apparatus for displacing the locking portion and releasing the locked state with the locked portion from the image forming apparatus; Is displaced by the image forming apparatus in accordance with an operation of relatively approaching the locked portion, and the sealing member is fixed to the toner storage container in a state where the locking portion is locked by the locked portion. The toner discharge opening is changed from the closed state to the open state by relatively moving the sealing member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, a container main body for storing toner is locked by a locked portion of the image forming apparatus. A locking portion that is displaced by the image forming apparatus in accordance with an operation of relatively approaching the stopping portion, and a release force for displacing the locking portion and releasing the locked state with the locked portion. And a release force receiving portion for receiving from the image forming apparatus.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided mounting means for detachably mounting the toner storage container, wherein the toner storage container includes a container main body for storing toner, and A locking portion locked by a locking portion, the locking portion being displaced by the mounting means in accordance with an operation of relatively approaching the locked portion, and displacing the locking portion. And a releasing force receiving portion for receiving a releasing force for releasing the locked state with the locked portion, and an applying means for applying a releasing force to the releasing force receiving portion. Is done.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a sealing member, a toner container and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus in which a toner supply container as a toner container according to the present invention is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

[Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus] In an electrophotographic copying machine main body (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus main body”) 100 shown in FIG. The optical image according to the optical unit 10
An image is formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter, referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 104 as an image carrier by a plurality of mirrors M and lenses Ln. Cassettes 105, 106,
Recording media (hereinafter, “paper”) loaded on 107 and 108
), The most suitable paper P is selected from the paper size information of the cassettes 105 to 108 based on the information input by the user from the operation unit 100a shown in FIG. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, but can be appropriately selected, such as an OHP sheet.

The paper feed / separation devices 105A, 106
A, one sheet P conveyed by 107A and 108A
Is transported to a registration roller 110 via a transport unit 109, and further, the registration roller 110 transports the sheet P to a transfer unit by synchronizing the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103. In the transfer section,
The transfer discharger 111 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 to the paper P. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separation discharger 112.

Thereafter, the fixing unit 114 is moved by the transport unit 113.
The sheet P conveyed to the fixing unit 114 fixes the toner image on the sheet P by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114, and in the case of one-sided copying, passes through the sheet discharging reversing unit 115 and the sheet discharging roller 1.
The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 117 by the reference numeral 16. In the case of double-sided copying, the sheet is conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the re-feeding conveyance paths 119 and 120 under the control of the flapper 118 of the sheet discharge reversing unit 115, and then the same path as in the case of single-sided copying. And is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

In the case of multiplex copying, the paper P passes through the paper discharge reversing unit 115 and is partially discharged outside the apparatus by the paper discharge rollers 116 once. Thereafter, the end of the sheet P passes through the flapper 118, and the flapper 118 is controlled at a timing when the sheet P is still nipped and the paper discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction. Transported to Then, after being conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the re-feed conveyance sections 119 and 120, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 117 along the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

In the apparatus main body 100 having the above structure, a developing device 201 as a developing means, a cleaner device 202, and a primary charger 20 are provided around the photosensitive drum 104.
3 and the like are arranged.

The developing device 201 develops an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 104 uniformly charged based on image information of the document 101 by the optical unit 103 using toner. Things. A toner supply container 1 for supplying toner as a developer to the developing device 201 is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 100 by a user. The present invention can be applied to a case where only the toner is supplied from the toner supply container to the image forming apparatus side or a case where the toner and the carrier are supplied. In the present embodiment, the former example is described.

The developing device 201 has a toner hopper 201a as a storage means and a developing device 201b. The toner hopper 201a has a stirring member 201c for stirring toner supplied from the toner supply container 1. The toner stirred by the stirring member 201c is sent to the developing device 201b by the magnet roller 201d. The developing device 201b has a developing roller 201f and a feeding member 201e. And
Toner hopper 201 by magnet roller 201d
The toner sent from a is sent to the developing roller 201f by the sending member 201e, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201f.

The cleaner device 202 is for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 charges the photosensitive drum 104.

When the user opens the toner supply container replacement front cover 15 (hereinafter, referred to as “replacement front cover”), which is a part of the exterior cover shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. The container receiving base 50 is pulled out to a predetermined position by a drive system (not shown). Then, the toner supply container 1 is placed on the container receiving table 50. When the user removes the toner supply container 1 from the apparatus main body 100, the user pulls out the container support 50 and takes out the toner supply container 1 placed on the container support 50. Here, the replacement front cover 15 is a dedicated cover for attaching and detaching (exchanging) the toner supply container 1 and is opened and closed only for attaching and detaching the toner supply container 1. The maintenance of the apparatus main body 100 is performed by opening and closing the front cover 100c.

The toner replenishing container 1 may be directly mounted on the apparatus main body 100 or removed from the apparatus main body 100 without using the container receiving base 50.

[Toner Supply Operation] First, the toner supply operation of the toner supply container (hereinafter, referred to as “toner bottle”) in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C. FIGS. 7A to 7C are views showing the state of the process of inserting the toner bottle 1 in the apparatus main body 100 and replenishing the toner at each stage in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 100 is provided with a toner replenishing device 400,
00 is provided with a driving unit (driving force transmission unit) 20 that is connected to the toner bottle 1 and rotationally drives the toner bottle 1. The drive unit 20 is rotatably supported by bearings 23 and is configured to be rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100.

The apparatus body 100 includes a hopper 201
A partition 25 is formed to form a toner supply path 24 communicating with the toner supply path a. The partition 25 has inner and outer bearings 26a and 26b that rotatably support a part of the toner bottle 1 and seal the toner supply path 24. It is fixed. Further, a screw member 27 for transporting the supplied toner to the hopper 201a is disposed in the toner supply path 24.

FIG. 7A shows a state in which the toner bottle 1 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100. A toner supply opening (hereinafter, simply referred to as an “opening”) 1a which is cylindrical in this embodiment is provided at one end surface of the tip of the toner bottle 1, and the opening of the opening 1a is sealed. Member 2
In a sealed state.

In FIG. 7B, the insertion of the toner bottle 1 is further advanced, and the engaging projections 3 as the locking projections provided on the distal end portion of the sealing member 2 lock the driving section 20 on the apparatus main body side. The state in which the hole is locked (prevented from falling off) is shown. This drive unit 2
When the user locks the toner bottle 1
The driving unit 20 comes into contact with the upper surface (locking force receiving unit) of the engagement protrusion 3 with the operation of inserting the
It is performed by pushing down (displacing) the engagement projection 3 by 0. After that, when the depression by the drive unit 20 is released, the region supporting the locking projection is restored by its own elastic force, and is released from the depressed state to complete the locking. That is, in the present embodiment, a so-called “snap fit” is employed as the locking method.

At this time, the sealing surface 2b of the sealing member 2 as the locking portion provided on the engaging projection 3 is locked in the locking hole as the locked portion in the thrust direction (axial direction). Therefore, as long as the locking member 2 is not released, the sealing member 2 is in a state of being positionally fixed to the drive unit 20 (there may be some play).

FIG. 7C shows the sealing member 2 and the driving section 20.
Is engaged, the slide member 300 retreats in the direction of arrow b in conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement front cover 15, so that the toner bottle 1 also retreats, but the sealing member is locked to the image forming apparatus main body side. The sealing member 2 is relatively separated from the toner bottle 1 and the opening 1a is opened,
The state in which the toner can be supplied is shown.

At this time, the main body of the toner bottle 1 (hereinafter referred to as
Drive shaft 1b fixed to 1A
The opening 1a is not completely detached from the sealing member 2 even when the opening 1a is sealed by the sealing member, even in the opened state. Part) maintains the engagement relationship with the drive shaft 1b as the engaged part, and remains in the hole as the engagement part. The drive shaft 1b
The cross section has a non-circular cross-sectional shape that can transmit rotational drive such as a square or a triangle, and the shape of the hole that is the engaging part also corresponds to the shape of the drive shaft, so that it can fit slidably. Has become.

In this state, when a motor (not shown) is driven, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the main body driving section 20 to the driving force receiving surface of the engaging projection of the sealing member 2 as the driving force receiving section, and further the sealing is performed. The transmission from the member 2 to the drive shaft 1b rotates the toner bottle 1 to convey and discharge the toner. That is, the sealing member 2 has a function of sealing the opening 1a and receiving a rotational driving force from the image forming apparatus main body side, and a function of transmitting the rotational driving force to the toner bottle 1 side.

Further, since the toner bottle 1 is rotatably supported by the bottle receiving roller 23 provided on the container receiving base 50, the toner bottle 1 can rotate smoothly even with a small driving torque. The bottle receiving rollers 23 are provided at four positions at positions that become saddles with respect to the bottle main body 1A. The bottle receiving roller 23 is rotatably provided on the toner supply device 400 of the apparatus main body 100. As the toner bottle 1 rotates in this way, the toner contained in the toner bottle 1 is sequentially discharged from the opening 1a,
The toner is supplied to the hopper 201a on the apparatus main body 100 side by the screw member 27 provided in the toner supply path 24, and the toner is supplied.

[Method of Replacing Toner Supply Container] Next, a method of replacing a toner bottle in the present invention will be described.

When substantially all of the toner in the toner bottle 1 is consumed in the image forming process, the toner in the toner bottle 1 is exhausted by the toner supply container empty detecting means (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100. Is detected, and the user is notified to that effect by display means 100b (see FIG. 2) such as a liquid crystal display.

In this embodiment, the replacement of the toner bottle 1 is performed by the user himself, and the procedure is as follows.

First, the replacement front cover 1 in the closed state
5 is rotated about the hinge 18 and opened to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. In conjunction with the opening operation of the front cover 15 for replacement, the opening / closing means of the toner replenishing section described later is used to open and close the cover 15 in FIG.
The state in which the bottle body 1A in the state of (C) moves in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 7A opposite to the direction of arrow b to open the toner supply opening 1a that has been separated from the bottle body 1A so far. Is press-fitted into the toner supply opening 1a, the toner supply opening 1a is closed, and the state shown in FIG. 7B is obtained. At this time, the sealing member 2 maintains the locked state with the image forming apparatus main body, and thereafter,
When a release ring described later applies a release force to the release protrusion, the release protrusion is pushed down together with the engagement protrusion, and the locked state is released. Then, the locking release operation between the sealing member 2 and the image forming apparatus main body 100 is completed by retracting the bottle main body 1A in the longitudinal direction of the bottle.

Next, the user places the empty toner bottle 1 unlocked from the main assembly 100 in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 7A, that is, as shown in FIG. 7C. Arrow b
Pull it out in the direction and remove it from the apparatus main body 100. Thereafter, the user inserts the new toner bottle 1 into the apparatus main body 100 in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 7A, and then closes the front cover 15 for replacement. Then, as described above, in conjunction with the operation of closing the replacement front cover 15, the sealing member 2 locked to the image forming apparatus main body by the toner supply unit opening / closing means is separated from the container main body 1A, and the toner The supply opening 1a is opened (FIG. 7C). The above is the procedure for replacing the toner supply container.

[Toner Bottle] Next, the toner bottle of this embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS.

The toner bottle 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
An opening 1a having a smaller diameter than that of the bottle body, that is, the cylindrical portion 1A is protrudingly provided substantially at the center of the one end surface. Opening 1
a is provided with a sealing member 2 that closes the opening 1a. As understood from the description related to FIGS. 7A to 7C, the sealing member 2 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle 1. The opening / closing operation of the opening 1a is automatically performed by sliding relative to (the direction of the arrow ab).

A cylindrical portion provided with an engagement projection 3 and a release force receiving portion 4 for releasing the engagement of the engagement projection 3 with the drive section 20 on the apparatus main body side is provided at the distal end of the sealing member 2. The region of the cylindrical portion that supports the engagement protrusion 3 and the release force receiving portion 4 is configured to be elastically deformable (to be described later, in order to assist and promote this elastic deformation). Slits are provided on both sides of the region to reach the tip of the cylindrical portion).

The engaging projection 3 engages with the driving section 20 to
The configuration is such that the function of transmitting the rotational drive to the toner bottle 1 is achieved. The configurations of the engagement protrusion 3 and the release force receiving portion 4 will be described later in detail.

First, the configuration inside the toner bottle 1 will be described.

As described above, the toner bottle 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape, is disposed substantially horizontally in the apparatus main body 100, and is configured to rotate by receiving rotational driving from the apparatus main body 100. A spiral projection 1C is provided on the inner surface of the toner bottle 1. When the toner bottle 1 rotates, the toner is conveyed in the axial direction along the spiral projection 1C, and the toner is discharged from an opening 1a provided on the end face of the toner bottle 1.

The internal configuration of the toner bottle 1 according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the toner bottle 1 is rotated and the toner is discharged when the bottle is rotated. In addition to the above example,
The toner bottle main body may be configured to transmit the rotational driving force received by the sealing member from the image forming apparatus to a member such as a rotary screw for conveying toner while being fixed to the image forming apparatus.

That is, the gist of the present invention is to provide a toner bottle 1 that discharges toner when driven.
Since the configuration of the drive transmission unit between the toner bottle 1 and the apparatus main body 100 is characterized, the internal configuration of the toner bottle 1 is generally well known as in this embodiment. The spiral projection 1 </ b> C may be formed, or another configuration may be used.

For example, as a modification of the present embodiment, a configuration inside a bottle as shown in FIG. 10 may be used. In this modification,
A plate-shaped baffle member 40 is provided inside the bottle main body, and a plurality of inclined protrusions 40a inclined with respect to the axial direction of the toner bottle 1 are provided on the surface of the baffle member 40. One end of the inclined protrusion 40a is provided in the opening 1a. Has reached. The toner is finally discharged from the inclined protrusion 40a through the opening 1a. The principle of toner discharge is
The toner scooped up by the baffle member 40 by the rotation of the toner bottle 1 slides down on the surface of the baffle member 40, and is conveyed forward of the toner bottle 1 by the inclined protrusion 40a. By repeating this operation, the toner inside the toner bottle is sequentially agitated and conveyed, and the opening 1a is opened.
Is discharged from.

Further, the type of driving in the present invention is not limited to only the rotary driving as shown in the present embodiment.
The type of drive is not particularly limited as long as the toner bottle is replenished by receiving a certain driving force such as vibration, swinging, or another method. That is, as long as the toner bottle discharges toner by receiving some kind of driving from the apparatus main body 100, the driving may be any of a driving method such as rotation, swinging, or vibration.

In the above-described modification, the plate-shaped baffle member 40 is formed separately from the toner bottle 1, and is provided via the sealing member 2.
The rotation driving force is transmitted to the toner bottle 1 indirectly.
Is rotated.

As described above, any configuration of transmitting the rotational driving force directly or indirectly to the toner bottle 1 via the sealing member 2 may be used.

8 and 9, the bottle body 1A has an opening 1a at one end in the longitudinal direction as described above, and an engaged portion provided integrally with the bottle body 1A in the opening 1a. A drive shaft 1b as a part projects from the opening 1a. The drive shaft 1b is located substantially on the center axis of the opening 1a, and slidably engages with an engagement hole 2a as an engagement portion provided in the sealing member 2. In addition, the engagement hole 2a
As shown in FIG. 9, the side opposite to the drive shaft 1b has a configuration in which the toner is prevented from leaking from the engagement hole 2a.

Since the drive shaft 1b transmits the rotational driving force from the apparatus main body 100 to the bottle main body 1A via the sealing member 2, the cross-sectional shape of the drive shaft 1b can transmit the rotational driving force. The shape is a non-circular square shape, H-cut shape, D-cut shape, or the like. Drive shaft 1b
Is fixed to the bottle main body 1A by appropriate means.

The drive shaft 1b may be provided integrally with the sealing member 2 as shown in FIG. 11 without being fixed to the bottle main body 1A. In that case, an engagement hole 2a for transmitting the driving force from the driving shaft 1b is provided on the toner bottle 1 side,
Similar to the above configuration, the two are kept engaged even when the opening is opened. In this modified example, the engagement hole 2a is supported by a member 1c provided inside the opening 1a, and the toner is allowed to be discharged.

In this embodiment, a configuration in which the drive shaft 1b is fixed to the bottle main body 1A is employed.

[Sealing Member] Next, the sealing member 2 (drive receiving member) will be further described with reference to FIGS.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, a sealing member 2 is a sealing portion 2b for sealing the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 so as to be openable, and a cylindrical portion as a cylindrical portion for engaging with the driving portion 20 of the apparatus main body. It has a coupling engagement portion 2c in the shape of a circle.
The outer diameter of the large diameter portion of the sealing portion 2b is set to be appropriately larger than the inner diameter of the opening 1a. Then, by press-fitting the sealing portion 2b into the opening 1a, the toner supply port, which is the opening 1a, is sealed by the sealing member 2.

As described above, the sealing member 2 is connected to the drive shaft 1b.
The driving force received from the apparatus main body 100 by engaging with
b. The engaging hole 2a is formed over the sealing portion 2b and the engaging portion 2c. The engagement hole 2a has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the drive shaft 1b, and is formed slightly larger than the drive shaft 1b. As a result, the drive shaft 1b is loosely fitted in the engagement hole 2a. The engagement hole 2a has the same cross section as the drive shaft 1b and is polygonal. In this embodiment, a square is used.

Then, as described above, the drive shaft 1b is
When the bottle body 1A and the sealing member 2 are loosely fitted to each other in the rotation direction of the bottle body 1A, the bottle body 1A and the sealing member 2 are configured to be slidable with each other in the axial direction. Has become. As a result, the sealing member 2 with the toner bottle 1 attached (locked) to the toner replenishing device 400 can be separated from the bottle main body 1A as described later, and the toner supply port, that is, the opening 1a is opened (opened). ) Is possible.

By the way, the engagement length between the engagement hole 2a and the drive shaft 1b has a length which does not come off when the sealing member 2 and the bottle body 1A are separated from each other. Thereby, even if the sealing member 2 is separated from the bottle main body 1, the driving shaft 1b can receive the driving force via the sealing member 2.

Next, the engaging projection 3 as a locking projection, which is one of the features of the present invention, will be described in detail.

The coupling member 2c of the sealing member 2 is provided with an engagement projection 3 for receiving a driving force from the apparatus main body 100. The engagement protrusion 3 protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical surface of the coupling engagement portion 2c. The engaging projection separates the toner bottle 1 and the sealing member 2 from the driving receiving surface 3a as a driving force receiving portion that receives a rotational driving force from the apparatus main body (the opening is changed from a closed state to an open state). In this case, the locking member 3 has a locking surface 3b acting as a locking portion for snap-fitting the sealing member 2 into a locking hole as a locked portion of the apparatus main body. That is, the engagement projection 3 functions as a coupling for coupling to receive the rotational driving force from the apparatus main body, the function for transmitting the rotational driving to the toner bottle 1, and the relative movement between the bottle main body 1A and the sealing member 2. And a locking function (locking function) that is locked to the apparatus main body side to automatically open and close the opening by sliding to the drive receiving surface 3a, the engaging hole 2a, and the locking function. Plays with surface 3b.

Further, when receiving the driving force in a state where the locking surface 3b is locked with the main body driving unit 20, the separation distance between the sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1 is kept constant so that the toner bottle 1 An opening with the sealing member 2 is ensured, the amount of discharged toner is maintained at a constant amount, and a toner bottle excellent in quantitative discharge property can be provided. Further, since the sealing member 2 is securely locked to the apparatus main body drive section 20, there is no possibility that the sealing member 2 will fall off the drive shaft during toner discharge, and toner can be reliably discharged.

According to the above configuration, the automatic opening and closing operation of the sealing member 2 and the receiving and transmitting operations of the driving force can be performed by one sealing member, so that a compact and inexpensive toner supply container can be provided. .

It is preferable that the engaging projection 3 is basically provided integrally with the sealing member 2 from the viewpoint of reducing the number of components. However, only the engaging projection 3 is incorporated into the sealing member 2 as a separate component. It does not matter even if it is a configuration. This configuration will be described in detail in a fourth embodiment.

Since the engaging projection 3 has a function of receiving driving force as well as a function of locking, it is desirable that the engaging projection 3 has some rigidity. Therefore, a slit groove 2e or the like is provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the engagement protrusion 3, so that only the region of the coupling engagement portion 2c where the engagement protrusion 3 is provided can freely elastically deform inward. I have. The reason is,
This is because the engagement projection 3 is displaced by the action from the apparatus main body 100 to perform an unlocking operation with the apparatus main body described later.

In this embodiment, the engagement projection 3 is formed integrally with the sealing member 2.

The distal end of the engaging projection 3 has a tapered surface 3c as a locking force receiving portion so that the sealing member 2 can be smoothly inserted when the sealing member 2 is inserted into the driving portion 20 of the apparatus main body 100.
have. As is better understood with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 as well, the tapered surface 3 c moves relative to the locking hole 20 h of the drive unit 20 when the engagement protrusion 3
This is a portion that receives a locking force from the inner surface of the drive unit 20 in order to displace the (locking portion) inward and lock it in the locking hole. Thereafter, when the locking surface 3b and the locking hole 20h further approach each other, and the contact of the tapered portion 3c with the inner surface of the driving portion 20 is released, that is, when the locking force is released, the engagement protrusion (locking protrusion) is formed. The region supporting the stop portion is returned from the displaced state, and the “locking” between the sealing member (locking portion) and the image forming apparatus main body (locked portion) is completed.

After the "locking" is completed, the opening 1a is changed from the closed state to the open state by automatically performing a sliding movement for relatively separating the sealing member 2 and the bottle main body 1A. , And the toner can be discharged. In this embodiment, in a state where the sealing member 2 is locked to the apparatus main body side and the movement in the sliding direction is regulated, the bottle main body side is retracted and advanced to automatically open and seal the opening. ing.

Next, the configuration of the release force receiving portion, which is another feature of the present invention, will be described again with reference to FIGS.

The engagement protrusions 3 are provided at two positions in the circumferential direction opposite to each other. The engagement release portion as a connection portion connecting the engagement protrusions, that is, the release force receiving portion 4 is provided. Is provided. When the release force receiving portion (hereinafter referred to as "release portion") 4 receives a force from the apparatus main body in the direction of arrow b, the engagement protrusion 3 is elastically deformed in the direction of arrow d as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It has the function of returning to its original shape when the force is removed. Accordingly, the release portion 4 is relatively thin so as to be easily elastically deformed, and is preferably made of a material suitable for it.

It is preferable that such a sealing member 2 is manufactured by injection molding a resin such as plastic. However, any other material and manufacturing method may be used, and the sealing member 2 may be arbitrarily divided and joined. Further, the sealing member 2 needs to have appropriate elasticity in order to press-fit into the opening 1a and seal it. Low density polyethylene is most preferred as the material, followed by polypropylene, linear polyamide such as nylon, high density polyethylene, polyester, ABS, HI
PS (impact polystyrene) and the like can be preferably used.

As described above, by forming the region supporting the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion 4 from an elastic member capable of being elastically deformed, the driving portion 20 and the engagement protrusion 3 are made use of elastic deformation and return. Can be locked and released with a simple configuration. In addition, since the above-mentioned material has appropriate elasticity, the engagement and disengagement of the drive unit 20 and the engagement protrusion 3 can be easily performed, and the material has sufficient durability.

Further, since the release portion 4 has a bridge shape for connecting the engagement protrusions 3, it is possible to exert a displacement action evenly on the plurality of engagement protrusions 3 by pressing one release portion 4. it can.

It is not always necessary to connect the engaging projections to each other as described above, and the releasing portion 4 is independent of each engaging projection as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. You may provide in the shape which carried out.

[Driving Force Receiving Portion] Next, the coupling engaging portion 2c provided on the sealing member 2, which best illustrates the features of the present invention.
Will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present invention, the sealing member 2 has the coupling engaging portion 2c formed in a cylindrical shape in the present embodiment, and also has the function as the drive receiving member as described above. The driving force is transmitted from the driving force transmission unit 20 of the device 400.

As described above, the cylindrical coupling engaging portion 2c of the sealing member 2 has two regions where the two engaging projections 3 are provided, which are elastically deformable. When the tapered portion 3c of the mating projection 3 is pressed by the drive unit 20, that region is in a state where it can be easily elastically deformed.
Further, a release portion 4 is provided so as to connect the engagement protrusions 3 to each other, and the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion 4 are integrated.

On the other hand, the driving unit 2 provided on the apparatus body 100 side
0 engagement hole 20h is provided on the engagement protrusion 3 (engagement surface 3) of the sealing member 2.
b), the inner diameter of the distal end of the drive unit 20 is tapered such that the inner diameter gradually decreases so that the sealing member 2 can be inserted smoothly when the seal member 2 is inserted into the drive unit 20. A surface 20b is provided. The sealing member 2 is smoothly inserted into the driving section 20 by the tapered surface 20b.

The driving section 20 is provided with an engaging rib 20a for driving the toner bottle 1 to rotate. The engaging rib 20a is provided after the engaging projection is locked in the locking hole 20h. , For transmitting the rotational driving force to the sealing member by contacting the drive receiving surface 3a of the engagement protrusion 3.

Next, the manner of engagement between the drive section 20 and the sealing member 2 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15A shows a state in which the user inserts the toner bottle 1 in the direction of arrow a in order to set a new toner bottle 1 in the apparatus main body 100. This is a state before being locked with the part 20.

As the insertion of the toner bottle 1 proceeds, FIG.
As shown in (B), the tapered portion 3c of the engaging projection 3 provided on the sealing member 2 contacts the tapered surface 20b of the driving unit 20,
The engaging projection 3 is elastically deformed and inserted while gradually bending inward while being guided by the tapered surface 20b.

As shown in FIG. 15 (C), the insertion of the toner bottle 1 is further advanced, and the engagement projection 3 passing through the straight portion 20g following the tapered surface 20b is replaced with the space portion 20h without the engagement rib 20a (locking). The bending is released by the (hole), and the engaging projection 3 is locked with the driving unit 20 here. In this state, the engagement projection 3 is firmly locked with the drive unit 20, and the position of the sealing member 2 in the thrust direction (axial direction) is substantially fixed to the apparatus main body side.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7C, even if the toner bottle 1 is retracted in the direction of the arrow b, the sealing member 2 is firmly pulled back together with the toner bottle 1 without retreating. It is fixed to the drive unit 20. On the other hand, since only the toner bottle 1 is retracted, the sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1 are securely separated from each other, and the opening 1a is opened. still,
The retracting operation of the toner bottle 1 may be configured to slide the toner bottle 1 in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the front cover 15 of the apparatus main body 100.

For the sliding operation, as described above, the sealing member 2 may be fixed and the toner bottle 1 may be slid, or the toner bottle 1 may be fixed and the sealing member 2 may be fixed. The sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1 may both be slid in a direction away from each other.

Further, the toner in the toner bottle 1 becomes empty, and the step of taking out the currently installed empty toner bottle in order to replace it with a new toner bottle is performed by mounting the bottle (locking / unsealing). The steps may be performed in reverse order.

More specifically, when the operator opens the above-described bottle replacement cover 15, the following steps are performed in conjunction therewith.

First, while maintaining the state in which the sealing member 2 is locked to the apparatus main body, the toner bottle main body side is
And the opening 1a is automatically sealed by the sealing member 2. Then, the release projection 4 is pushed in by the pushing member 21 to be described later, and the locking state between the engagement projection 3 and the locking hole 20h is released, and the toner together with the sealing member 2 press-fitted into the opening 1a. By retracting the bottle main body 1A, the locking between the sealing member 2 and the apparatus main body 100 is released, and preparation for removing the toner bottle 1 from the apparatus main body 100 is completed.

[Structure that does not require phase matching] Next, a structure that does not require phase matching when the main body drive unit 20 and the toner bottle 1 are locked in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In conventional drive transmission means, for example, in the case of coupling drive by a combination of irregularities, it is necessary to match the phases of the concave portions and the convex portions and engage them. In the present invention, such phase adjustment by an operator is required. There is no need for any troublesome work. The reason will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 shows the rotational positional relationship between the engagement protrusion 3 and the engagement rib 20a when the sealing member 2 is inserted into the drive section 20. This is an example in which one engaging rib 20a is provided and two engaging projections 3 are provided (3A, 3B).

Normally, if the engagement rib 20a and the engagement projection 3 do not overlap at the same position when the user inserts the toner bottle 1, when the insertion of the toner bottle 1 is completed to a predetermined position, The sealing member 2 is locked with the driving unit 20 and then when the toner bottle 1 is retracted, the sealing member 2
And the toner bottle 1 are separated from each other, so that the toner can be discharged.

However, depending on the rotation direction of the toner bottle 1 at the time of insertion, as shown in FIG.
A and the position of the engagement rib 20a overlap, and even if the toner bottle 1 is inserted to the predetermined position, the engagement protrusion 3A interferes with the engagement rib 20a and cannot be released / returned to the outside. Locking may not be completed without being pressed. When the toner bottle 1 is retracted in this state, the sealing member 2 is not kept locked with the main body drive unit 20, so that the toner bottle 1 and the sealing member 2 are retracted together and the opening 1a
May not open.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, in the present invention, by providing at least one engagement projection 3 more than the engagement rib 20a, all of the engagement rib and the engagement projection are prevented from overlapping. This solves the above problem.

In the state shown in FIG. 18A, one of the engagement projections 3A certainly interferes with the engagement rib 20a and is not locked by the main body drive unit 20, but the other engagement projection 3A is engaged with the engagement rib 20a. The mating projection 3B does not interfere with the engagement rib 20a, and is properly locked with the drive unit 20. As described above, even if one of the engagement protrusions 3A is not locked, the toner bottle 1 is separated from the sealing member 2 without any trouble because it is locked by the other engagement protrusion 3B. 1a can be open. After the opening 1a is opened, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the main body driving unit 20 eventually turns to the arrow c.
When rotated in the direction, the interfering engagement rib 20a is disengaged, and the engagement protrusion 3A is also properly locked. When the rotation further proceeds, as shown in FIG.
Is hooked on the engagement protrusion 3B, where the rotation drive is transmitted and the toner bottle 1 rotates.

As described above, by providing one or more engagement projections 3 than the engagement ribs 20a, even if the user inserts the toner bottle 1 in an arbitrary rotation direction, at least one engagement projection is formed. The toner bottle 1 is locked in the locking hole without interfering with the engagement rib, and the toner bottle 1 can be reliably set.

In the present invention, as shown in this embodiment, in addition to providing the engagement projections 3 at two locations, as shown in FIG. 19, the engagement projections 3 may be provided at four locations as a matter of course. I don't care. At this time, the number of engagement ribs is three or less.

Further, in this case, even if the number of the engagement ribs and the number of the engagement projections are the same, the distance (phase) between the engagement ribs is different from the distance (phase) between the engagement projections. Thereby, at the time of inserting the bottle, at least one engagement protrusion can be locked in the locking hole without overlapping with the engagement rib.

When a plurality of engaging ribs are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction, it is preferable to provide these engaging ribs at substantially equal intervals in consideration of drive transmission.

In addition to the above-described method that does not require the phase matching, another method such as that shown in FIG. 20 can also eliminate the need for the phase matching. That is,
In this modification, a shallow locking groove 20e is provided over the entire inner surface of the engaging portion 20d of the main body driving portion 20, and the locking groove 2e is further provided.
There is provided a configuration in which an engagement hole 20d for engaging with the engagement protrusion 3 is provided in 0e. Note that the locking groove 20e is not a groove deep enough to completely engage the engagement protrusion 3, but may be a shallow groove that is hooked by about half so that it can be automatically opened.

The operation at the time of engagement according to the configuration of this modification will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 21A shows a state before the toner bottle 1 is inserted into the main body drive section 20. At this time, the engagement hole 20d of the main body drive section 20 and the engagement projection of the sealing member 2 are shown. 3
Are rotationally out of phase as shown in the XX section. Eventually, when the insertion of the toner bottle 1 proceeds and reaches the state shown in FIG.
Is in a state of being caught about half by the locking groove 20e. Even if the toner bottle 1 is to be retracted in this state, the sealing member 2 is locked by the locking groove 20e. The opening 1a is surely separated and opened. When the main body drive unit 20 rotates in the direction of arrow c, as shown in FIG. 21 (C), the positions of the engagement holes 20d and the engagement protrusions 3 are aligned, and at this time, the engagement protrusions 3 are completely engaged. It is possible to engage with the hole 20d and transmit the rotational driving force.

As described above, in the present invention, the user can reliably set the toner bottle 1 in the apparatus main body 100 only by inserting the toner bottle 1, and further, when inserting the toner bottle 1, The exchange operation can be performed by a simple operation without requiring a troublesome operation such as alignment in the rotation direction of the device.

Further, since the opening and closing operation of the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 is automatically performed in the image forming apparatus main body, the user does not need to perform the opening operation himself / herself, and the user can easily clean the toner without soiling his / her hands. Replenishment can be performed.

[Method of Disengaging Engagement] Next, the disengagement of the engagement projection 3 from the main body drive section 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the toner supply is completed and the toner bottle 1 becomes empty, the old toner bottle 1 must be removed and replaced with a new toner bottle. At that time, it is necessary to release the lock between the sealing member 2 and the drive unit 20 which has been locked up to that time.

As shown in FIG. 22, an extruding member 21 is provided inside the apparatus main body, specifically, inside the driving section 20. The pushing member 21 is configured to be movable in the same direction as the axial direction of the drive shaft 1b of the toner bottle 1.

FIG. 22A shows a state where the toner supply is completed and the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 is opened.

To release the locking between the drive unit 20 and the sealing member 2, the pushing member 2 is inserted into the release unit 4 provided at the tip of the sealing member 2.
As shown in FIG. 22 (B), the release portion 4 bends in the direction of the arrow a by causing 1 to enter in the direction of the arrow a, and at the same time, the engagement protrusion 3 integrated with the release portion 4 also falls down. .
Thereby, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 3 and the main body drive unit 20 is released.

Thereafter, as the pushing member 21 further advances in the direction of arrow a, as shown in FIG.
1 presses the sealing member 2 into the opening 1a, where the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 is sealed. Further, the pushing member 21
Moves in the direction of arrow a, the toner bottle 1 itself is retreated this time, and the toner bottle 1 is slid to a position where the user can easily take it out.

The driving structure of the pushing member 21 is linked to the opening and closing operation of the front cover 15 of the apparatus main body 100. When the front cover 15 is opened, the pushing member 21 moves in the direction of arrow a, and The sealing member 2 of the toner bottle 1 may be separated and the front cover 15 may be moved in the direction of arrow b when the cover 15 is closed. Alternatively, an independent separating operation may be performed using a separate drive motor or the like. It may be configured. Alternatively, instead of an interlocking operation with the front cover 15 of the apparatus main body 100, a manual lever may be separately provided, and a separating operation may be performed in conjunction therewith.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the toner bottle 1 can be securely engaged with the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a snap-fit manner only by inserting the toner bottle 1, and the release unit 4 can be pressed only when the toner bottle 1 is taken out. With this operation, the locked state can be easily released, so that the toner bottle 1 can be replenished with a very simple operation and configuration. Therefore, a toner bottle with high operability can be provided.

In addition, the drive transmission of the toner bottle can be released, and the opening and closing operation of the opening can be realized at the same time.

Furthermore, in spite of such a very simple operation and a simple, inexpensive and compact structure, a reliable and highly reliable drive transmission can be realized.

Further, in a state where the toner can be discharged, a mechanism for bearing the drive shaft 1b on the side of the toner bottle body is not required, and a simple structure is employed, and further, adverse effects such as toner leakage, torque increase, and generation of coarse particles in the bearing portion are obtained. Can be provided.

Embodiment 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that members having the same functions as the members described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the release projection 4 as a release portion is provided with the sealing member 2 as in the first embodiment.
Is provided not on the inside of the cylindrical coupling engaging portion 2c but on the outer peripheral surface. In this embodiment, the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion 4 are provided at four positions in the circumferential direction at four positions so as to form a pair. In addition, the sealing member 2
The configuration of the drive unit 20 that locks with the engagement projection 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In addition, according to the configuration of the release unit 4, the pushing member 21 is not a shaft-like member that slides back and forth from the axial center of the drive unit 20 on the apparatus main body side in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the drive unit 20 is configured to be slidable back and forth in a cylindrical shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the drive unit 20 and to be engageable with the release unit 4. The inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the extruding member 21 as a cylindrical member is formed in a tapered shape such that the inner diameter increases toward the distal end, that is, the wall thickness becomes thinner. Engage with the top of part 4. Further, a slit groove 2e is formed on both sides of the support portion 2f provided with the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion 4, and the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion 4 are elastically deformed and returned inward by the slit groove 2e. It is configured to be.

In the case of this embodiment, since the entire sealing member can be integrally molded, the productivity of the sealing member can be drastically improved, and the cost can be reduced. Preferred over 1.

FIG. 25A shows a state where the toner supply is completed and the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 is opened.

When releasing the lock between the main body drive section 20 and the sealing member 2, as shown in FIG.
The release member 4 is pushed inward by the inner peripheral surface of the push-out member 21 and displaced in the direction of arrow d by causing the release member 1 to enter the release portion 4 provided at the tip of the sealing member 2 in the direction of arrow a. The portion 2f is elastically deformed and bent), and at the same time, the engagement protrusion 3 is displaced inward together with the release portion 4. Thereby, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 3 and the main body drive unit 20 is released. This release step is performed in conjunction with the opening operation of the replacement cover 15 by the operator.

Thereafter, by further pushing the pushing member 21 in the direction of the arrow a, the sealing member 2 is returned to the sealing position of the toner bottle 1 as shown in FIG. Next, the pushing member 21 further retracts the toner bottle 1 itself, and slides the toner bottle 1 to a position where the user can easily take out the toner bottle.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 2c
By providing the release portion 4 on the outer peripheral surface of the above, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in such a configuration, when the sealing member 2 is manufactured by injection molding of a resin, the mold is easily removed, and thus it is more preferable to improve productivity.

The width of the engagement projection 3 is longer than the width of the release projection 4. When the bottle body 1A is retracted to automatically open the sealing member 2, the engagement projection 3 The drive unit 20 is configured to be sufficiently durable so as not to be disengaged from the drive unit 20. Since the release projection 4 does not have such a function, the width is shortened, and the cost of the resin material for manufacturing the release projection is suppressed as much as possible.

Also, the base portion of the support portion 2f on which the engagement protrusion 3 and the release protrusion 4 are directed is more easily bent.
A thin portion 2y may be provided as shown in FIG. With such a configuration, the engagement protrusion 3 receiving the rotational driving force
The release of the locking portion can be performed more reliably while maintaining the rigidity of the sealing member 2 including.

Embodiment 3 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Although the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion (release protrusion) 4 of the sealing member 2 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement portion 2b, in this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Are provided at four locations on the inner peripheral surface of the and at positions where the engaging portion 2b is divided into four in the circumferential direction.

The main body drive section 20 has a shape as shown in FIG. 28 corresponding to the configuration of the sealing member 2 as described above. That is, the main body drive section 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a plurality of portions having different outer diameters, a front end portion 20b, a small diameter portion 20c, a large diameter portion 20d, and a rear end portion 20e.
The inner diameter of the through-hole 20f through which 1 penetrates is made uniform.
The driving section 20 is provided in the small diameter section 20c having the smallest outer diameter.
Are protruded at positions facing each other.

Next, the manner in which the drive section 20 and the sealing member 2 are locked in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 29A shows a state where the user inserts toner bottle 1 in the direction of arrow b in order to set a new toner bottle 1 in the image forming apparatus main body. 2 shows a state before the driving unit 20 is locked.

As shown in FIG. 29 (B), as the toner bottle 1 advances, the engaging projection 3 provided on the sealing member 2 comes into contact with the main body driving section 20 and the tip of the engaging projection 3 It is guided by the formed tapered surface 3c and is elastically deformed and inserted while gradually bending outward.

The engagement projection 3 which has passed further and passed the straight portion 20g is released from bending in the space portion 20h without the engagement rib 20a, as shown in FIG. 3 is engaged with the main body drive unit 20.

In the state shown in FIG. 29 (C), the engagement projections 3 are firmly engaged with the main body drive section 20.
The position of the sealing member 2 in the thrust direction (axial direction) is fixed. Therefore, even if the toner bottle 1 is retracted thereafter, the sealing member 2 is firmly fixed to the main body drive unit 20 without being pulled back together with the toner bottle 1 and retracted. On the other hand, when only the toner bottle 1 is retracted, the sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1 are securely separated from each other, and the opening 1a is opened. Note that the toner bottle 1 may be retracted in such a manner that the toner bottle 1 is slid in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the front cover 15 (see FIG. 2).

Next, the unlocking operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When releasing the engagement between the main body drive section 20 and the sealing member 2, the push-out member 21 arranged at the center of the main body drive section 20 is slid in the direction of the arrow a in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment. Just release it easily.

By pushing the pushing member 21 in the direction of the arrow a into the release portion 4 provided inside the sealing member 2, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0 (B), the release portion is displaced outward by bending so that the region supporting the release portion 21 is pushed outward, and the engagement protrusion 3 is also moved outward together with the release portion 21. Displace. As a result, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 3 and the main body drive unit 20 is released.

Thereafter, as the pushing member 21 further advances in the direction of arrow a, as shown in FIG.
1 press-fits the sealing member 2 into the opening 1a, where the sealing member 2 seals the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1. Further, by pushing the pushing member 21 in the direction of arrow a, the toner bottle 1 itself is retracted, and finally the toner bottle 1 is slid to a position where the user can easily take it out.

The structure of the pushing member 21 is linked to the opening / closing operation of the front cover 15 of the apparatus main body 100.
When the front cover 15 is opened, the push-out member 21 moves in the direction of arrow a to perform separation, and when the front cover 15 is closed, it may move in the direction of arrow b. Alternatively, a separate drive motor or the like may be used. Thus, a configuration in which an independent separating operation is performed may be adopted. Alternatively, instead of the interlocking operation with the front cover 15, a manual lever may be separately provided, and a separating operation may be performed in conjunction therewith.

As described above, in this embodiment, the release unit 4
Is not exposed on the surface, so that even if the toner bottle is dropped, the release unit 4 is not likely to be damaged, and a toner bottle excellent in impact resistance during distribution can be provided.

Further, the toner bottle 1 can be easily formed only by a very simple operation in which the pushing member 21 slides back and forth.
And the opening and closing operation of the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 can be realized at the same time.

In spite of such a very simple operation and a simple, inexpensive and compact structure, a reliable and highly reliable drive transmission force can be realized.

Embodiment 4 Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the sealing member 2 attached to the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1,
The engagement projection 3 and the engagement release portion 4 are manufactured as separate parts, and each part is assembled.

As shown in the figure, two movable arms 3e are attached to the end surface of the sealing member 2 via a hinge 3h so as to be opposed to each other. Engagement projections 3 for engaging with the main body drive unit 20 are provided as described in the embodiment.

The two engagement projections 3 are connected by a link member 3g via a hinge 3i. The link member 3g is composed of two members connected by a release portion 4 acting as a hinge.

Further, a fixed protrusion 3f is provided so as to face the inside of the central portion of the movable arm 3e, and a spring 3j is locked to the fixed protrusion 3f. The movable arm 3e is urged outward by the urging force of the spring 3j, whereby the engagement protrusion 3 is brought into a form capable of engaging with the main body drive unit 20, as shown in FIG. Will be retained. In addition, as the main body drive unit 20 suitable for the present embodiment, for example, the one shown in FIG.

In the above configuration, when the toner bottle 1 is to be engaged with the main body drive unit 20 via the engagement projection 3, for example, just as in the first embodiment, the toner bottle 1 is simply inserted. Can be engaged. That is, when the toner bottle 1 is inserted, the engagement protrusion 3 is
And the movable arm 3e falls inward together with the engagement projection 3 against the urging force of the spring 3j. And the movable arm 3e returns to the predetermined position in FIG. 31A at the same time.

On the other hand, when releasing this engagement, see FIG.
As shown in (B), when the pushing member 21 is pushed into the release portion 4 in the direction of the arrow a, the engagement protrusion 3 easily falls inward, and the engagement is released.

As described above, also in the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the same effects as in the other embodiments can be sufficiently exhibited.

In this case, since it is not necessary to release the engaging projections 3 by elastic deformation, a material that does not elastically deform can be used, and the choice of materials is greatly expanded. For example, various metal materials such as aluminum, iron, and magnesium, and various materials such as wood and hard resin can be used, so that higher engagement strength can be maintained and durability can be improved at the same time.

Furthermore, since each part is moved by the link mechanism, the movable range is wider than the elastic deformation, and a larger engagement area can be secured. For this reason, the hooking at the engagement portion becomes stronger, and more reliable engagement strength can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the link system is employed without utilizing the elastic deformation of the sealing member as in the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3, and therefore it is more preferable than the above embodiment in terms of durability. However, the configuration may be complicated and the cost may be increased.

Embodiment 5 The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various other embodiments are possible. A modified example described later has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 20) except for the changes.

For example, as shown in FIG. 32, when the toner bottle 1 has an opening 1a in the cylindrical surface 1d provided on the longitudinal end face of the bottle main body 1A, the coupling engaging portion 2c is sealed as described above. Instead of being provided on the member 2, it may be rotatably provided on the end face of the toner bottle main body 1A. In this case, the opening 1a is separately opened and closed by a shutter member S.

That is, the coupling engaging portion 2c locks the toner bottle main body 1A with the image forming apparatus main body (the driving portion 20 in FIG. 20) by a locking portion (a locking surface of the engaging projection 3). A function to be performed, a function of receiving a rotational driving force from the image forming apparatus main body side by a driving force receiving portion (a driving receiving surface of the engagement projection 3), and a release of the lock between the toner bottle main body 1A and the image forming apparatus main body (the driving section 20) And a function of transmitting the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion to the coupling engaging portion 2c and the toner conveying member fixed inside the toner bottle. Thereby, when the toner bottle is being rotated by the image forming apparatus main body, even if a force acts on the driving unit 20 of the image forming apparatus main body in a direction in which the toner bottle separates, both are locked. Since the state is maintained and the engagement is maintained, the transmission of the rotational driving force to the toner bottle can be prevented from being unintentionally cut off.

It should be noted that the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the toner bottle 1 or the photosensitive drum 104 in the fifth embodiment are described.
Embodiments 2, 3, and 4 show the structure of locking and releasing between
Even if such a configuration is adopted, there is no problem and the present invention can be applied similarly.

The automatic closing operation of the opening in the first to fifth embodiments may be configured as follows.

In conjunction with the opening operation of the exchange cover 15 by the operator, first, the toner bottle main body side is advanced to the sealing member side while the locking between the sealing member 2 and the driving section 20 is maintained. Then, the sealing member 2 is press-fitted into the opening 1a and automatically sealed.

Thereafter, in a state where the pushing member 21 slides and comes into contact with the releasing portion 4 and the locked state between the engaging projection 3 and the driving portion 20 is released, the sealing member 2 is moved to a position where the operator can easily take it out. At the same time, the automatic release operation is completed by retracting the toner bottle main body 1A toward the replacement cover.

As described above, the structure can be simplified by applying the slide movement (retreat / advance) mechanism of the bottle body 1A used when opening the opening 1a also to seal the opening 1a. it can. Further, since the sliding movement distance of the pushing member 21 can be shortened as compared with the above example, it is possible to suppress the configuration of the apparatus main body from becoming complicated.

In Examples 1 to 5, the bottle body 1
Only by moving the sealing member 2 in the relative movement direction with respect to A, the engagement state can be released by moving the engagement projection 3 in a radial direction substantially perpendicular thereto, so that the configuration for release is simple. It is.

In the first, fourth, and fifth embodiments, even when a plurality of engagement projections 3 are provided, all engagement projections 3 are released by applying a force to substantially one place. , The configuration for release is simple.

In the first and fourth embodiments, the release force receiving portion 4 of the sealing member 2 is provided substantially at the front end portion of the sealing member 2, so that it is an early stage after the container is inserted into the apparatus main body. Thus, the release force receiving portion 4 can be engaged with the main body.

[0176]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even when the toner storage container and the image forming apparatus main body are locked in a snap-fit manner so as to automatically open and close the sealing member, the above-described locked state can be achieved with a simple configuration without burdening the operator. Can be canceled.

Accordingly, the toner replenishing operation can be performed without imposing a burden on the operator.

The present invention can be provided at low cost without complicating the sealing member, the toner container, and the image forming apparatus which can obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the toner supply container is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the image forming apparatus showing a state where a cover for replacing a toner container is opened.

FIG. 7 shows the mounting operation of the toner supply container, that is, (A)
It is sectional drawing which shows the start of installation, (B) during installation, and (C) completion of installation.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment of the toner supply container.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a drive transmission unit when a drive shaft is provided on the toner supply container main body side.

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another embodiment of the toner supply container.

FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the drive transmission unit when the drive shaft is provided on the sealing member side.

FIG. 12 is a front view (A) showing an embodiment of a sealing member,
(A) is the side view (B) seen from the X direction of the figure, and is the side view (C) also seen from the Y direction.

13 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member, taken along line ZZ in FIG. 12B.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a driving force transmitting unit and a driving force receiving unit.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state when the toner bottle is engaged with the drive transmission unit, that is, (A) before the toner bottle is inserted, (B) during the insertion, and (C) when the insertion is completed.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the driving force receiving portion.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member of FIG.

FIG. 18 relates to phase adjustment when a toner bottle is inserted.
(A) a state in which the phases of the engagement rib and the engagement protrusion overlap,
(B) a state in which the rotation has advanced and the phases have not overlapped,
(C) It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which rotation progressed further, the engagement rib was hooked on the engagement protrusion, and drive transmission was carried out.

FIG. 19 is a left side view (A), a front view (B), and a right side view (C) showing another embodiment of the sealing member of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the driving force transmitting unit and the driving force receiving unit that do not require the phase adjustment.

FIG. 21 illustrates a state when a toner bottle is inserted in the drive transmission unit in FIG.
FIG. 9B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the insertion is completed, and FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view along the line XX.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show the state of disengagement of the drive transmission unit of the toner bottle, ie, (A) before disengagement, (B) during disengagement, and (C).
It is sectional drawing which shows the time of completion of release.

FIG. 23 is a side view (A), a front view (B), and a cross-sectional view (C) showing another embodiment of the sealing member according to the present invention.

24 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the sealing member of FIG. 23 is engaged with a driving unit.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of disengagement of the drive transmission unit of the toner bottle, that is, (A) before disengagement, (B) disengagement, and (C) when disengagement is completed.

FIG. 26 is a view showing another example of the sealing member according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 23;

27A is a side view showing another embodiment of the sealing member according to the present invention, and FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view (along line CC) of a front view (A), a side view (B), and a view (B) showing another embodiment of the drive unit engaged with the sealing member of FIG. 27; C) and (D) in FIG.
It is sectional drawing (D) along D.

29A and 29B show a state when the sealing member shown in FIG. 27 and the driving unit shown in FIG. 28 are engaged, that is, (A) when the toner bottle is inserted, and (B).
It is sectional drawing which shows the middle of insertion and at the time of (C) completion of insertion.

30 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the engagement of FIG. 29 is released, that is, (A) before the release, (B) during the release, and (C) when the release is completed.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing (A) before disengagement and (B) during disengagement, showing another embodiment of the sealing member according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the toner supply container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner bottle (toner supply container) 1A Bottle main body (toner supply container main body) 1a Opening part 2 Sealing member 2b Sealing part 2c Coupling engagement part 3 Engagement projection (locking part) 3a Drive receiving surface (driving force) Receiving part) 3b Locking surface 4 Release projection (release force receiving part) 20 Driving part 21 Pushing member 100 Image forming apparatus main body 400 Toner replenishing device

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hironori Minagawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Fumio Tazawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. F term (reference) 2H077 AA03 AA05 AA09 AA12 AA14 AA25 AA34 AA35 AB06 AB12 BA01 BA08 BA09 GA04

Claims (60)

[Claims] 1. A sealing member for sealing a toner discharge port of a toner storage container detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein: a locking part locked by a locked part of the image forming apparatus; A release force receiving portion for receiving a release force from the image forming apparatus for displacing a portion to release a locked state with the locked portion, wherein the locking portion is provided with respect to the locked portion. Displaced by the image forming apparatus in accordance with the relatively approaching operation, and by moving the sealing member relative to the toner storage container in a state where the locking portion is locked to the locked portion. The sealing member, wherein the toner outlet is changed from a closed state to an open state. 2. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a locking force receiving portion for receiving a locking force for displacing the locking portion to lock the locked portion from the image forming apparatus, wherein the locking force is released. 2. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion returns from the displaced state. 3. A sealing member having a cylindrical portion on the distal end side, wherein the cylindrical portion is provided with a locking projection on which the locking portion and the locking force receiving portion are provided, and the release force receiving portion. The sealing member according to claim 2, further comprising a release projection. 4. The sealing according to claim 3, wherein the region of the cylindrical portion provided with the locking projection and the releasing projection is elastically deformable by the locking force and the releasing force, respectively. Element. 5. The sealing member according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical portion includes slits provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the region and leading to the distal end of the cylindrical portion. 6. The locking projection according to claim 5, wherein the locking projection is provided closer to the distal end of the cylindrical portion than the release projection.
Sealing member. 7. When not receiving the release force,
The sealing member according to claim 6, wherein the release projection projects from the cylindrical portion more than the locking projection. 8. The sealing member according to claim 7, wherein a width of the locking projection is longer than a width of the release projection in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. 9. The sealing member according to claim 7, wherein the locking projection and the release projection are provided on an outer surface of the cylindrical portion. 10. The sealing member according to claim 9, wherein the locking projection and the release projection have a tapered upper surface. 11. The toner container has an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion, and the engaging portion keeps the engagement with the engaged portion so that the toner outlet is opened. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is slidable relative to the engaged portion between an open position and a closed position. 12. After the toner outlet is changed from the open state to the closed state, the locking portion is relatively separated from the locked portion in a state where the releasing force receiving portion receives the releasing force. The sealing member according to claim 11, wherein: 13. A drive force receiving portion for receiving a drive force from the image forming apparatus for transporting the toner in the toner container toward the toner discharge port when the toner discharge port is open. The driving force is transmitted from the engaging portion to the engaged portion.
2 sealing member. 14. A closing force receiving portion for receiving a closing force from the image forming apparatus to move the sealing member relative to the toner storage container to change the toner outlet from an open state to a closed state. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein
The sealing member according to any one of the above items. 15. A driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for conveying the toner in the toner container toward the toner discharge port from the image forming apparatus when the toner discharge port is open. The sealing member according to claim 3, wherein the driving force receiving portion is provided on the locking projection. 16. The sealing member according to claim 15, further comprising a driving force transmitting portion for transmitting the driving force to the toner container so as to rotate the toner container. 17. The method according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of said locking projections and said releasing projections are provided in pairs.
5 sealing member. 18. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein said locking portion is locked to said locked portion in a snap-fit manner. 19. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is inserted into the image forming apparatus with the front end side of the sealing member at the top. 20. A toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, wherein a container main body for storing toner is locked to a locked part of the image forming apparatus, and is relatively to the locked part. A locking portion that is displaced by the image forming apparatus in accordance with the approaching operation, and a releasing force that receives from the image forming device a releasing force for displacing the locking portion and releasing the locked state with the locked portion. And a receiving portion. 21. A locking force receiving portion for receiving a locking force for displacing the locking portion to lock the locked portion from the image forming apparatus, wherein the locking force is released. 21. The toner container according to claim 20, wherein the locking portion returns from the displaced state. 22. A cylinder having a locking projection provided with the locking portion and the locking force receiving portion and a release projection provided with the releasing force receiving portion. Toner storage container. 23. The toner container according to claim 22, wherein a region of the cylindrical portion provided with the locking projection and the releasing projection is elastically deformable by the locking force and the releasing force, respectively. container. 24. The toner container according to claim 23, wherein the cylindrical portion has slits provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the region and leading to the distal end of the cylindrical portion. 25. The toner container according to claim 24, wherein the locking projection is provided on the distal end side of the cylindrical portion with respect to the release projection. 26. The toner storage container according to claim 24, wherein when the release force is not received, the release protrusion projects from the cylindrical portion beyond the locking protrusion. 27. The toner container according to claim 26, wherein a width of the locking projection is longer than a width of the release projection in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. 28. The toner container according to claim 27, wherein the locking projection and the releasing projection are provided on an outer surface of the cylindrical portion. 29. The toner container according to claim 28, wherein the locking projection and the release projection have a tapered upper surface. 30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a sealing member that includes the locking portion and the release force receiving portion, and seals a toner discharge port for discharging toner in the container body.
Or 28 toner container. 31. The toner discharge port is changed from a closed state to an open state by moving the sealing member relative to the container body in a state where the locking portion is locked to the locked portion. 31. The toner container according to claim 30, wherein: 32. An engaging portion engageable with an engaging portion of the sealing member, wherein the engaging portion keeps the engagement with the engaged portion so that the toner discharge port is closed. 32. The toner container according to claim 31, wherein the toner storage container is slidable relative to the engaged portion between an open position and a closed position. 33. After the toner outlet is changed from the open state to the closed state, the locking portion is relatively separated from the locked portion in a state where the releasing force receiving portion receives the releasing force. 33. The toner container according to claim 32, wherein: 34. A driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus for conveying the toner in the toner container toward the toner discharge port when the toner discharge port is open. The driving force is transmitted from the engaging portion to the engaged portion.
3. Toner storage container. 35. A driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus for driving the toner in the container body toward the toner discharge port when the toner discharge port is open. 35. The toner container according to claim 32, further comprising a unit, wherein the driving force is transmitted from the engagement unit to the engaged unit. 36. A driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for conveying the toner in the container body toward the toner discharge port from the image forming apparatus, wherein the driving force receiving portion is provided with the locking projection. The toner container according to claim 22, further comprising: 37. The toner storage container according to claim 36, further comprising a driving force transmitting unit that transmits the driving force to the container body to rotate the container body. 38. The toner container according to claim 20, further comprising a driving force receiving member having the locking portion and the releasing portion and receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus. 39. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion is engaged with the image forming apparatus in a snap-fit manner.
0 toner container. 40. The toner container according to claim 30, wherein the toner container is inserted into the image forming apparatus with the front end side of the sealing member being the leading end. 41. A mounting device for detachably mounting a toner storage container, wherein the toner storage container includes a container main body for storing toner,
A locking portion locked to the locked portion of the mounting means,
A locking portion that is displaced by the mounting means in accordance with an operation of relatively approaching the locked portion, wherein the locking portion is displaced to release a locked state with the locked portion. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a release force receiving portion for receiving a release force for applying the release force; 42. The toner container has a locking force receiving portion for receiving a locking force for displacing the locking portion and locking the locked portion to the locked portion, and the locking force is released. 43. The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the locking portion returns from a displaced state. 43. A cylinder having a locking projection provided with the locking portion and the locking force receiving portion and a release projection provided with the releasing force receiving portion. Image forming apparatus. 44. The image forming apparatus according to claim 43, wherein a region of said cylindrical portion provided with said locking projection and said releasing projection is elastically deformable by said locking force and said releasing force, respectively. apparatus. 45. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the cylindrical portion includes slits provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the region and leading to the distal end of the cylindrical portion. 46. The image forming apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the locking projection is provided closer to the tip of the cylindrical portion than the release projection. 47. The image forming apparatus according to claim 46, wherein when not receiving said release force, said release projection projects from said cylindrical portion beyond said locking projection. 48. The image forming apparatus according to claim 47, wherein a width of the locking projection is longer than a width of the release projection in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. 49. The image forming apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said locking projection and said releasing projection are provided on an outer surface of said cylindrical portion. 50. The image forming apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the locking projection and the release projection have a tapered upper surface. 51. A sealing member provided with the locking portion and the release force receiving portion, and further comprising a sealing member for sealing a toner discharge port for discharging toner in the toner storage container. Image forming apparatus. 52. The image forming apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the sealing member includes a cylindrical portion provided with the locking portion and the release force receiving portion at a tip. 53. The toner discharge port is changed from a closed state to an open state by moving the sealing member relative to the container body in a state where the locking portion is locked to the locked portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 52, wherein: 54. An engaging portion for engaging the engaged portion of the toner storage container, wherein the engaging portion keeps the engagement with the engaged portion and the toner outlet is opened. 54. The image forming apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the image forming apparatus is slidable relative to the engaged portion between an open position and a closed position. 55. After the toner outlet is changed from the open state to the closed state, the locking portion is relatively separated from the locked portion in a state where the releasing force receiving portion receives the releasing force. 55. The image forming apparatus according to claim 54, wherein: 56. The mounting means, wherein: a plurality of locking holes provided with the locked portions capable of locking with the plurality of engaging projections, respectively; and the driving force receiving member provided between the locking holes. 54. The image forming apparatus according to claim 53, further comprising: a cylindrical member provided with an engagement rib engageable with a portion, wherein the number of the locking projections is larger than the number of the engagement ribs. 57. The releasing means according to claim 56, wherein said applying means comprises a releasing cylindrical member for displacing said locking portion inward by slidingly moving so as to wrap said cylindrical portion and pushing in said releasing projection. Image forming device. 58. The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein an inner surface of said cylindrical member for release contacting an upper surface of said release projection is tapered. 59. A driving force applying means for applying a driving force for conveying the toner in the toner storage container toward the toner discharge port to a driving force receiving member of the toner storage container, wherein the driving force is provided. 50. The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the receiving member includes the locking projection and the releasing projection. 60. The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said locking portion is locked to said locked portion in a snap-fit manner.